BOAT REVIEW
A few years back we tested Stacer’s flagship model in the Ocean Ranger series, the magnificent 759 Hard Top. There are four boats in this range, all of which are ideal for serious offshore fishing in SA waters. While the imposing 759 sits proudly at the top of the pile, the 659 version will also fit the needs of many serious blue water anglers. It’s still a big, beamy and extremely capable rig that will take you out wide of Port MacDonnell when the ‘barrel’ bluefin are on, or out to Greenly Island in search of kings and samsons.
Hard top boats are difficult to go past when you’re serious about heading well offshore in a range of potentially uncomfortable conditions. Stacer has put a lot of thought and effort into its hard top design, coming up with something about as good as any you’ll find in the plate alloy market. The front screen is three-piece construction, with sliders to port and starboard for ventilation and excellent all-round vision. The hard top is tough, spacious and, without doubt, a very comforting addition when you’re running home on a less-than-friendly day — especially in early winter down at Port Mac’ with the air temperature struggling to stay in double figures and Southern Ocean spray cascading down the windscreen!
Built on Stacer’s proven EVO hull, the 659 is indeed a substantial lump of boat. It’s constructed from 5mm aluminium (bottom) with 4mm topsides and transom. Dry weight is around 1044kg, and the Sea Ranger is designed to work with engines of 150-200hp. The test boat from Sports Marine had been fitted with mid-range power in the form of a new 175hp Mercury four stroke, one of Merc’s most popular models for larger trailer boats. It’s a V6 dual overhead cam engine with a displacement of 3.4 litres and weighs in at a more than reasonable 215kg. These V6 Merc’s have developed a great reputation for fuel economy, as well as plenty of torque and holeshot power.
As soon as you climb aboard the 659 Hard Top and have a quick look around, its fishing credentials become obvious. Starting at the blunt end, there’s a decent size live bait tank (with clear front panel) on the port side, a handy bait table with four rod holders in the centre, and a boarding gate to starboard. Access to batteries, pumps etc. is via a hinged compartment directly beneath the bait board, and there’s a self-draining kill tank in the aft end of the cockpit floor. It’s all very neat, tidy and accessible back there.
Both the helmsman’s and passenger’s seats are mounted on top of sturdy frames, which enable a couple of ice boxes to be slid in and secured to keep food, bait and fish in good shape. I found the standard swivelling seats pretty comfortable. The dash doesn’t provide a lot of mounting room for electronics, as the cabin entry point is quite substantial, but there is enough room around the helm console to accommodate a couple of large-screen displays, VHF radio and switch panel.
The Telwater alloy trailer is a beauty
That’s a very neat and functional transom